MANILA North Tollways Corporation which manages North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) successfully defended their crown in the big float category while Maybank bagged the small float category during the Grand Float Parade of the Panagbenga Festival.
NLEX took the purse of P250,000 for the second straight year while Sitel Philippines and Department of Tourism placed second and third got P180,000 and P150,000 respectively.
Maybank meanwhile brought home P150,000 edging Coca-Cola and Zen phone which went home with P120,000 and P100,000 respectively.
The floats were evaluated according to creative design (20 percent), floral craftsmanship (20 percent), artistic merit (15 percent), floral and color presentation (20 percent) and dramatic impact (25 percent) and should revolve around this year’s theme: Inspired by Beauty, Nurtured by Nature.
Meanwhile, the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Incorporated (BFFFI) lauded the volunteers from different sectors who have helped in the success of various activities in the Panagbenga 2017.
BFFFI chairman Anthony De Leon said with the help and support of the volunteers, the celebration, from the planning and execution until the end of the festival on Sunday could not be possible.
During the Grand Street Dancing and Float Parades, different volunteers helped maintain the peace, discipline and order in the main thoroughfares to ensure the public will have pleasurable glimpse during both parades.
De Leon also thanked the volunteers who help maintain the cleanliness of the city especially during the weekend were thousands flocked in the central business district.
During the weekend, it was reported hotels, inns and other bed and breakfast establishments were fully booked due to the influx of local and foreign tourist just to witness one of the most organized and orderly festivals in the Philippines.
For next celebration, BFFFI assured to add community led events for the whole month celebration and hopes to bring in participation of La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, Tublay and other areas in Benguet to show there is oneness and a more productive celebration.
Traffic plan is a priority to ease traffic during the twin parades.
On March 5, the month long flower festival will close with a grand firework display. (With a report from Mary Joy Sumagca/University of Baguio Intern)
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